Councillor Roger Ramsey, Cabinet Member for Value, introduced the report

It was proposed that an extension of Ingrebourne Hill, northwards on 32 acres / 12.95 hectares of Council-owned land within Hornchurch Country Park to just south of Albyns Farmhouse, be created in order to provide a more interesting profiled and managed forested / wetland landscape.

In addition, the proposal would generate an income receipt to the Council from a pre-agreed share of the revenues from the deposit of inert material on the land, in association with Ingrebourne Valley Limited (the company), and a saving in Parks Service maintenance.

Reasons for the decision:

It had been considered by the Council as desirable to make improvements to the landscape profile of Hornchurch Country Park, which is currently relatively flat. The extension of the Ingrebourne Hill and subsequent tree planting / wetland in a managed scheme would provide a more interesting landform and features.

The proposal also had the benefit of producing for the Council –

(a)        a share of significant receipts from the company’s rights to deposit inert     material on the land, and

(b)        an ongoing saving from the transfer of the long term maintenance of the land to the company, which it would be required to use best endeavours to pass onto DEFRA / Forestry Commission by way of a Management Agreement on the payment of a pre-agreed dowry from the company.

The land would be contracted to be opened up again for the use and enjoyment of the general public as community woodland once the inert material deposit and forestry planting / wetland works were complete.

Other options considered:

It would be unacceptable for lorries to gain access to the subject land from South End Road utilising the Council’s unadopted road shaded blue on plan sps 0741/1 at Appendix 1 to the report, as this would be incompatible with the retention of public access to the remainder of Hornchurch Country Park during the period of the inert material deposit works.

Ingrebourne Valley Limited control the land to the south, including the proposed lorry access off an existing entrance in Rainham Road, ¼ of a mile (0.4 km) to the north of the Dovers Corner roundabout, and therefore there were no alternative proposals identified that could be pursued by the Council with other companies.

An option not to proceed had been considered, but rejected as it would be passing over a good opportunity to improve the landscape profile of Hornchurch Country Park, whilst gaining a much needed income receipt to the Council and tree planting / wetland and long term management scheme producing long term maintenance savings to the Council.

Concern was expressed that the proposed lorry routes for the importation for the inert material would pass through residential areas.  Staff explained that the company involved with the scheme had a proven track record in delivering such projects and minimising the impact on local residents.

Cabinet AGREED:

1.         in principle to the Council:

·         Entering into a conditional Option Agreement with Ingrebourne Valley Limited to allow them a secure period within which to seek planning consent and the necessary environmental permits for the proposed inert waste depositing to form the Ingrebourne Hill extension; and within which,

·         Undertaking public consultation under the requirements of S.123 (2A) of the Local Government Act 1972 concerning interests being granted in respect of public open space. 

·         That the agreement would include an income share between the company and the Council for the deposit of inert waste.

2.         In principle that the Option Agreement include a right for the company, once satisfactory planning permission and environmental permits had been obtained and statutory consultation concluded, thereafter within a defined timescale to take a pre-agreed form of short lease for the depositing of the inert waste, together with an obligation to take a pre-agreed form of a 99 year lease from the Council for forestry planting and wetland management obligations when the depositing works were complete.

3.         In principle to the Option Agreement giving the company the right to pass on the forestry planting and wetland management obligations by way of a co-terminus Management Agreement with DEFRA / the Forestry Commission on the payment to it of an agreed dowry from the company, subject to the acceptance of the scheme by the Forestry Commission.

4.         That once a planning permission had been applied for by the company, the Council initiate statutory consultation in accordance with S.123 (2A) Local Government Act 1972. Any objections received to be reported on at the earliest opportunity for consideration by Cabinet.

5.         To delegate to the Assistant Chief Executive – Legal & Democratic Services, in conjunction with the Property Strategy Manager, the responsibility for the completion of all necessary contractual documentation.